Before beginning the fieldwork with volunteers we plan to conduct an expedition in the research area.
We have a list of performers presently, whose rich folklore repertories we plan to video record and
audio record. Since all these people are of advanced ages, we cannot count on their participation from year to year. That is why some villages on our itineraries may be substituted for others. The area will always be the same.The work of a team will be mostly focused
on 2 basic programs:

1) Russian mythological stories (the
spirits of house and nature)

2) The rituals: Whit Saturday (June,
22) and Whit Sunday (June,23)

Whit Saturday (June, 22) is dedicated to all the
deceased. People go with their children to the local cemetery, where make a
funeral repast on their relations' graves. You will have a unique chance to
listen to the ancient lamentations.

Whit Sunday (June,23) is one
of the merriest folk holidays, here are numerous versions of this rite also. In
the most interesting, on Whit Sunday in the afternoon most of the country people
go to the forest. There they make wreaths of birch branches and put them on
their heads. One or two women cut a young birch and form a woman's body out of
it. Then women put a festive costume on this woman's body. This doll is a
personification of woman's erotic essence. Then the people carry this ritual
doll to the nearest river, accompanied by special ritual songs (usually of
erotic content). Everybody stops near the river and sings short songs (called in
Russian chastushki, somewhat similar to limericks), sing and dance in a circle,
dance to the accordion. As the evening approaches women take the festive costume
off the doll and throw 'the body' in the river. This calendar rite retains the
idea of human sacrifice.

Commercial stores will be
available to volunteers before they go into the field, and at
"Sheremetjevo-2" Moscow Airport. We always find time for volunteers to
exchange money and shop for necessities before we leave for the field. After
arrival we will transfer you to a simple hostel where you will spend your first
night.

Next day we will all
depart for our study area by train or bus. Please expect your travel day to be
quite exhausting as there will be a long bus trip (7-8 hours) to the village
followed by the sometimes difficult process of finalizing our accommodation. We
always allow plenty of time for recuperation on the following morning.

In case of early arrival,
volunteers should contact Yelena and Sergey Minyonok at: Moscow (095) 952-6583.
Volunteers who arrive early are responsible for their own food and
accommodations.

Departure

Volunteers should plan
their departures from Sheremetievo-2, Moscow Airport:

June, 30, 2002 (Sunday)

We will be back in Moscow
for one night before the set departure days. Volunteers will spend that night in
Moscow, in a small hostel, departing the next day. Please do not plan your
departure earlier than 10:00 a. m., Moscow time. Taxis at night in Moscow are
very expensive and the Principal Investigators would be unable to accompany the
volunteers because of the transportation problems. On the morning of departure,
a single bus will be arranged to take the team to the airport, in time to catch
the earliest flight. We can always help with alternative transport arrangements
but these must be at your own expense.

The Principal
Investigators are not a tourist agency, but if time is available, they will be
happy to help you plan a longer stay in Moscow. Volunteers who decide to stay
later are responsible for their own food and accommodations.

Please pay close attention
to the dates in your visa. Usually our invitation includes one week before the
project starts and one more week after it ends. If you would like to stay longer
please contact our staff members: vsem@cityline